ZukLOS wishes you a Merry Christmas!
The Zukunftslernort Oberlausitz (ZukLOS) looks back on an eventful 2025 and wishes you a peaceful Christmas season.
In 2025, ZukLOS reached significant milestones: With the DLR_School_Lab at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, a modern learning and research center has been created where students can explore and experience scientific and technical topics for themselves. At the same time, the Makerspace Zittau is nearing completion and will enable hands-on work with 3D printing, robotics, electronics, and creative workshop activities. Our new offerings are complemented by the mobile learning center, which, as a “rolling lab,” brings technology and exciting experiments directly to schools in the region.
In addition, selected open spaces at the campus locations in Zittau and Görlitz have been upgraded and equipped with innovative, mobile, and flexibly configurable furniture. The redesign was carried out in close collaboration with the faculties. The goal is to increase the amount of time students spend on campus and to create new open learning areas that encourage interaction and collaborative work.
Since September 1, 2025, and November 1, 2025, respectively, two new Federal Volunteer Service participants have been working at the ZukLOS learning centers: Robert Garske from Dresden and Philip Zogrodnik from Görlitz. With the DLR_School_Lab, the Makerspace, and the mobile learning center, they have a wide-ranging scope of work at our university. Not only is the physical scope broad, but so is the subject matter—ranging from biotechnology to chemistry and physics to electrical engineering.
Both Federal Volunteer Service participants bring relevant interests to the table and have the opportunity here to gain a deeper understanding of these various fields. Their year-round involvement is of great value to ZukLOS.
Outlook 2026
Further exciting developments are planned for 2026. The Green Classroom, an extracurricular learning space that combines nature, technology and exercise, will be built on the Zittau campus. Seating islands, sports areas and the associated Makerspace Zittau will create a variety of opportunities for extracurricular learning both indoors and outdoors.
The Wind-PV-Tree will also be set up in Zittau. This is a tree that converts wind and solar energy into electrical energy, making renewable energy visible and tangible. At the same time, the Learning Factory 5.0 continues to take shape: With equipment for robotics, 3D printing, CNC technology and modern sensor systems, it is becoming a center for practice-oriented learning and research.
The Zukunftsetage, a modern meeting space for project work, creative ideas and interdisciplinary exchange, is being created in Görlitz.
ZukLOS is an integral part of the University for the Future process at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. With our new extracurricular learning venues and programs, we are strengthening Upper Lusatia as a hub for education and innovation and fostering curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm for science and technology. Together, we support young people in actively shaping their future in Upper Lusatia.
Merry Christmas and a successful New Year
We would like to express our sincere thanks for your dedication, support, and ideas. We look forward to more joint projects, inspiring encounters, and new ideas in 2026.
In 2026, we are also looking forward to our collaboration, new projects, and valuable exchanges with you.
We wish you and your families a peaceful Christmas, as well as good health and energy for the coming year.
Your ZukLOS Team at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences
- From the idea to the finished prototype: in the "Make Your School" project, pupils from the Christian-Weise-Gymnasium Zittau and the Joliot-Curie-Gymnasium Görlitz each developed creative prototypes on three hackdays with HSZG support. During these intensive project days, the participants tinkered from the idea to the finished model in a short space of time. The results included a road salt vehicle, a waste level sensor and a chewing gum alarm, all of which were successfully presented.
- The "Make Your School" project took place at a total of five schools in the 2024/2025 school year: Christian-Weise-Gymnasium Zittau, Joliot-Curie-Gymnasium Görlitz, Geschwister-Scholl-Gymnasium Löbau, Friedrich-Schleiermacher-Gymnasium Niesky and Freie Schule Boxberg/O.L.
- HSZG Impresses with a Mobile Learning Space! At KONVENTA 2025 in Löbau, HSZG unveiled its converted Airstream trailer for the first time as a mobile learning space equipped with a laser cutter and 3D printer, where younger visitors in particular got to make their own keychains and develop a passion for technology.
- New DLR_School_Lab Opens at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences: On May 15, 2025, the first DLR_School_Lab at a university of applied sciences was opened at the Mandau-Höfe campus in Zittau. ESA astronaut Dr. Gerhard Thiele gave a guest lecture and shared fascinating insights into his space mission.
- “A City to Help Shape”: At the Kindermiasto Zgorzelec 2025 event, the HSZG brought its mobile learning center equipped with a laser cutter, 3D printer, and microscopes. Children enthusiastically experimented, designed their own objects, and experienced technology in a playful and hands-on way.
- As part of the Görlitz district’s educational conference on career orientation, an excursion to the DLR_School_Lab took place, during which approximately 65 participants were able to try out various science stations for themselves. They gained firsthand insight into the work of the new student lab.
- During a teachers’ visit to the student lab , approximately 20 teachers from the Oberschule Innenstadt Görlitz gained insights into the work of the DLR_School_Lab. They conducted experiments themselves and learned about ways to incorporate these activities into their lessons.
- "The best place!" Minister of State Sebastian Gemkow visited the HSCG's new DLR_School_Lab on 2 December 2025, learned about the new STEM offerings for pupils and was impressed by the modern equipment and the successful cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
- Fail Forward - For a glass of clarity with Dr. Fester: In the "Fail Forward" series of events, people at the start of their careers are given insights into the lives of people who have more or less arrived in their profession. What goals and obstacles did they face and what solutions did they take? On 3 December, Dr. Thomas Fester reported on his path to the DLR_School_Lab - via Tübingen, Berlin, Halle, St. Louis and Leipzig.
a) DLR_School_Lab Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences
Feel free to visit us with your students and discover exciting experiments in science and technology. You can find more information about our programs on our website.
Registration is done via the online contact form.
You’re also welcome to use the DLR_School_Lab for your next teacher training session. We recommend contacting us as early as possible!
If you have any questions, please contact:
Dr. Thomas Fester
Director, DLR_School_Lab Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences
Phone: +49 (0)3583 612-4788
Email: Thomas.Fester@hszg.de
b) Mobile Learning Center
The Mobile Learning Center brings innovative experiments, technology, and creative educational programs directly to your location. This allows us to provide hands-on and inspiring learning environments—without the need to travel.
You can find all information about available programs, the Mobile Learning Center’s equipment, and booking on our website.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Robert Viertel, M.A.
Head of the HSZG School Liaison Office
Phone: +49 (0)3581 374-4356
Email: r.viertel@hszg.de
c) Makerspace Zittau
The Makerspace on the Zittau campus is an open workspace and learning environment for creative ideas, hands-on projects, and innovative technologies.
All students, teachers, parents, university students, and staff members of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, as well as regional educational partners, are cordially invited to
- use the Makerspace for their own projects and independent work,
- to actively participate in the planning, further development, and design of the space,
- and to help design or lead workshops, programs, or event formats.
Together, we want to further develop this place into a vibrant hub for exchange, innovation, and hands-on creativity.
Makerspace address:
, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences Theodor-Körner-Allee 16
Building 4c, Room 0.01, Makerspace
02763 Zittau
Opening hours:
You can find the current opening hours online.
Map:
You can find the exact location of the Makerspace on the Zittau campus on the map.
For more information, please visit our website.
If you have any questions, our “Raumbuddies” will be happy to assist you:
Email: makerspace@hszg.de
Photos: HSZG and Rafael Sampedro
Text: Christian Tiller
1st floor
1st floor
2nd upper floor
